The resources section of our wiki has grown dramatically since the launch of the site. Please continue to add your information - and if you don't see your information, or if you can't seem to find the information you are looking for, it may have been moved to one of the main categories below (green) for ease of navigation.

Accessible Design and Visitability

Articles and Publications

Web Links

Better Business Bureau in Central and Northern Alberta

British Columbia Paraplegic Association

This association serves the needs of individuals with spinal cord injury within British Columbia and has an online manual to help individuals with their housing needs.

CNIB

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Canadian Paraplegic Association

Center for Universal Design Resource

Center for Universal Design: The Center for Universal Design (CUD) is a national information, technical assistance, and research center that evaluates, develops, and promotes accessible and universal design in housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products.  The list of Web sites found on the Center for Universal Design Resource page will help you find information on topics related to universal design and accessibility.   There are the following subcategories, each with many suggested internet links and ideas.  Some of the categories include: aging, landscape design, list discussions, assistive technology, communications, organizations, disabilities, products, floor plans & home design, green housing, sustainable and solar housing, research, independent living, transportation, international resources, and universal design and Home Modifications. 

Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA), Buffalo 

The IDeA Center is dedicated to making environments and products more usable, safer and healthier in response to the needs of an increasingly diverse population. The IDeA Center’s activities are based on the philosophy of Inclusive Design, (Universal Design or Design for All).

Disability Weblinks

Designing Accessible Communities

Designing Accessible Communities is a non-profit organization who seeks to promote, facilitate, and support the use of policies, accessible design, and use of accessible manufactured products to ensure that all individuals, regardless of disability or age, are able to live within and participate fully in all aspects of their community and society. They provide further useful resources in areas such as assistive technology, build environment and design, and recreation/travel.

Home for Life™

The Home for Life™ Wiki is a resource centre to find and share information about home modifications.

IDeA - Centre for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access

Independant Living Choices

Learn About Aging In Place and What a Professional Can Do for You

Remodelers of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require these modifications. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and health professionals.

Lifetime Design from New Zealand  

Imagine - Every Body. Every Place.

Imagine if our homes, workplaces, public buildings and spaces, and even the products we use were designed for everyone - regardless of age or mobility. That would transform how families and even entire communities live. It’s an inspired goal. And it’s precisely what the Lifetime 

Design Foundation is committed to achieving the 5 Lifetime Design Principles.

Lifetime Design isn’t complicated. In fact, it can be summed up by these five important principles...

1.            Usability

2.            Adaptability

3.            Accessibility

4.            Inclusion

5.            Lifetime value

Making Home a Safer Place, Affordably

(New York Times, July 18, 2009) Staying put makes economic sense. It is not only more comfortable to live out your life in your own home, it’s much more affordable.

City of Edmonton Mayors Round Table Address on Accessible Housing

Making Our Houses Lifelong Homes: Accessible Housing for Seniors

This Executive Summary was compiled following a one-day event/conference on accessible housing.  This report reflects information shared at the roundtable and the discussions that took place among the participants. 

It also presents suggestions for how advocates, policy makers, builders and academics can work together to move toward creating houses that can become lifelong homes.

My Safe Home

Most people like where they live and want to stay there. Staying safe is one way to be able to do that for as long as you want. The Home Safety Council wants you to know about the things in your home that could cause an accident. Take a tour of "My Safe Home".

Naidex 2009

Naidex is the UK’s leading homecare, disability and rehabilitation event.  This year 10,799 visitors attended Naidex to see the latest products and services to aid independent living. Every year new products are introduced at the event.  One of featured products is The StairSteady.  The StairSteady is a revolutionary handrail that helps people who find stairs a challenge to keep active and feel a sense of well being by remaining independent.  Follow the link to see a photo and further description. Age Concern  This portion of the website contains over 30 free guides, many related to housing choices, living well in your home and protecting yourself.  It is a UK website so some of the information may not be relevant to Canadians but it is an excellent starting point.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification (University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center)  

A US based site from the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence.  This web site, a university-based and non-profit effort, is dedicated to promoting aging in place and independent living for persons of all ages and abilities. It offers training and education opportunities for professionals who wish to respond to the increasing demand for home modification services. It also serves as an information clearinghouse on home modification to equip professionals and consumers with a comprehensive inventory of resources such as a National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources.  

The Red Book Online- This is an online service directory to community, social and government agencies around Vancouver, BC.  This online directory has quite a few listings related to housing within the Lower Mainland.

Residential Design for Aging in Place (book).  Copyright (2008) John Wiley & Sons.  Lawlor, Drue & Thomas, Michael A.  ISBN 978-0-470-05614-1 

SMARTHOUSING Queensland Australia - This booklet explains the benefits of Universal Design and how they can be achieved. It is based on a collection of key reference materials and collective experience across the Queensland Government.

The Accessible Home: Updating Your Home for Changing Physical Needs

Towards Barrier Free Housing for an Ageing Austrilia:  Accessible, Adaptable and Universal Desgn 

Universal Design for Learning

Visitability - An Inclusive Design Approach for Housing